A Script of Borrowed Times

JULIA POV

The sharp scent of alcohol on Damon’s breath clashed with his masculine cologne, creating a combination that instantly made my stomach churn. I simply froze where I stood, pulling my cap lower over my face.

Damon did not look like the handsome hero Jilly constantly adored on television. Instead, he looked like a broken young man with a tired face and a clenched jaw—hardened by anger.

A feeling of regret crept over me.

Why had my daughter become a fan of an actor like this? The hero who was supposed to be brave and bring happiness to my daughter was actually like this?

Oh, God, how disappointed Jilly would be if she knew that Damon Watts was nothing more than a man drowning in despair. He looked miserable!

“Do you have ears?” Damon’s mocking voice was like a blade ready to cut. “Who are you? How dare you come in without my permission?”

“I’m just delivering catering,” I squeaked softly.

Damon let out a cynical snort, his eyes sweeping over my appearance.

“Are you sure? Catering staff know exactly what they are supposed to do when they come into my trailer. You do not even look professional at your job.”

I swallowed hard, my mind completely blank. Every sweet and polite sentence I had rehearsed had vanished.

“Who sent you? Paparazzi? Gossip reporters?” He leaned his face closer. “Or are you just another crazy fan who managed to sneak in again?”

I quickly shook my head.

“I’m just additional catering staff,” I insisted.

There was a moment of silence. All I could hear was Damon’s heavy breathing brushing against my face.

Then he stepped back and turned away.

“Leave. I do not want to be disturbed anymore.”

This was not how things were supposed to go. I came all the way here only to get yelled at.

And then what would I tell Jilly? That her idol was a stressed-out young man who got drunk in the middle of the day?

I took a breath and reached for the door handle, but my hand stopped. I turned toward Damon, who had walked to the table and was about to open the lunch box.

“I’m sorry, but could I have a moment of your time?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Damon neither turned around nor answered. That only made me feel even more cornered and confused.

“I only need one small thing. Could you help me? My daughter is being treated at Light Hope Hospital.” My voice sounded anxious. “Jilly really admires you. Could I please ask for a short video or an autograph for her?”

I hurriedly added, “Just ten seconds. I promise I will leave immediately afterward.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, trembling. It was an impulsive move that I should not have made. Ashley had warned me about this, but I was desperate.

I needed Damon’s help so Jilly could have a sweet memory during days that could end at any moment.

Damon turned around, his eyes locking onto my phone. In an instant, his ragged breathing turned into furious huffs. His expression shifted from suspicion to anger.

“You!” he shouted.

Damon strode forward, closing the distance between us until I could feel the heat of his alcohol-soaked body. His hand clamped tightly around my wrist.

“So it is true. You’re a stalker!” he accused sharply.

He snatched the phone from my hand and threw it onto the trailer floor.

“No, that’s not it—”

“You are all the same! No shame at all, no respect for my privacy!” he cut in.

My eyes widened as his anger exploded, all of it directed at me.

“You people think my life is some circus you can watch whenever you want under the excuse of being a ‘fan’ or having a ‘sick child’!” he ranted.

My eyes burned, and my heart felt as though it were being ripped apart by such cruel accusations.

Yet I could not defend myself. It was as if all my courage had been drained away by the mad young man standing in front of me.

“Get out of here right now before I completely lose my patience!” Damon pointed toward the door.

My hand impulsively grabbed his arm. “Please, this is not for me. It is for Jilly.”

Our eyes met, but all I saw was a gaze consumed by raging fire.

“For God’s sake, Jilly only has one wish. She wants to see her hero,” I pleaded, my voice almost breaking into sobs. “The doctors said she does not have much time left, and—”

“Enough with that drama!” Damon snapped harshly, shrugging off my grip. “I have heard thousands of garbage stories like that!”

“You are wrong!” My courage suddenly returned. “Jilly is not who you think she is! She’s brave! And she keeps fighting every single day because of you!”

“Stop! I know you people just want to get photos of me and sell them to the media!” Damon shouted even louder. “Security! Security!”

“Please, Damon. Do not do this to Jilly!”

“Security! There is an intruder in my trailer!”

The trailer door flew open with a violent bang, and I nearly fell if I had not grabbed the doorframe in time.

Two large men immediately stormed inside. They paused for a few seconds, staring at Damon, whose face was now red with fury.

Then their attention shifted to me, standing there with tears beginning to fill my eyes.

“Get this crazy woman out of here! And make sure she never sets foot on this filming location again!”

Damon gave the order in a voice so cold that it cut through me. Then he turned his back on me. As if my existence was nothing more than trash cluttering his view.

“Please, Damon! Just for a moment, listen to me!” I shouted as one of the security guards’ powerful hands seized my arm.

My body was dragged forcefully out of the cramped trailer.

“Out. Now, ma’am!” one of the guards barked.

I struggled and tried to grab my phone, which was still lying on the trailer floor. But one of the guards accidentally stepped on it.

My trembling hand reached for the phone, only to find the screen—displaying Jilly’s photo—cracked and shattered.

The trailer door slammed shut with a thunderous bang. It felt as though it had slammed shut on the last of my hope as well.

Outside, flashes of light greeted me.

I turned my head and saw background actors and crew members watching me like I was a spectacle. Some of them had their phones pointed at me already. They eagerly recorded the moment I was being dragged away from the VIP area.

“An intruder? Oh, hell!”

“Oh my God, Damon’s stalker? That is bold!”

“Impressive courage. Still stupid, though.”

The whispers, comments, and insults rang clearly in my ears. The humiliation burning my cheeks was nothing compared to the pain in my chest. I had just destroyed the only chance I had to make Jilly happy during the little time she had left.

Forgive Mom, sweetheart. I am not a good mother for you. I failed to make you smile.

No matter how hard I try for you, every opportunity always falls apart.

Forgive me, Jilly. Forgive your foolish mother.